After starting the 2011 season 0-7, the Dolphins looked to be on pace for one of the top two picks in the 2012 NFL Draft. This would have put them in the running for either Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck or Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III of Baylor.

However, after a 6-3 finish, the Dolphins will pick no higher than eighth in the first round.

A franchise-saving quarterback may not be available at that spot, which will leave the Dolphins with the decision to commit to Matt Moore or go the free-agency route.

If they choose to look for a free agent, Matt Flynn may be the best choice.

Flynn has spent the last four seasons in Green Bay, and he is this year's hot backup quarterback. As soon as free agency begins in the NFL on March 13, he will be a sought-after commodity.

And because Flynn will be a sought-after commodity, the Dolphins may have to get into a bidding war with other teams for his services.

Who will be the Dolphins' starting quarterback in 2012?

Matt FlynnMatt MooreSomeone ElseSubmit Votevote to see results

Who will be the Dolphins' starting quarterback in 2012?

Matt Flynn

58.1%

Matt Moore

22.1%

Someone Else

19.7%

Total votes: 903

Will the Dolphins be willing to outbid other teams, and just how much would they be willing to pay?

Last year, Philadelphia's Kevin Kolb was the hot, young, backup quarterback. When the Eagles traded him to the Arizona Cardinals, Kolb signed a contract for $63 million.

Flynn will be looking for as much this year.

But is it wise for a team to commit that much for an unproven talent?

By calling Flynn unproven, it is not meant to degrade him. It is to point out that his overall NFL experience is very limited. He has less experience than Kolb had as a backup to Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick.

Flynn would come with plenty of positives, though. He has watched Aaron Rodgers for four years. He was part of a Super Bowl winner. He has been coached by Mike McCarthy and new Miami head coach Joe Philbin in Green Bay.

And while starting only two games, Flynn has been very good.

In 2010, he made one start against New England, and went 23-of-37 for 254 yards and three touchdowns. In 2011, he started the season finale against Detroit. Flynn passed for 480 yards and six touchdowns—both Green Bay single-game records. His other 2011 appearances were in mop-up roles during blowout wins.

That's not a lot of information to make a franchise-changing decision on.